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Big plans signal possible start of 2008 campaign
Published Saturday, September 15, 2007
And, they’re off. With a surprise — at least to all but apparently his inner circle — recreation plan, Natchez Mayor Phillip West recently kicked off the 2008 city election campaign in earnest.
Two weeks ago, West proposed, and the board of aldermen approved, a $15 million recreation plan with few specifics.
The plan’s “due date,” by which a plan should be detailed and ready for a decision, is April 1.
Seems like that will be just in time to make it a big issue in the city elections next year.
The unfortunate thing is that recreation seems to come up every four years, and just around election time.
The city has been talking about recreation for years, obviously, but little gets down.
West deserves applause for seeking to get something moving, but his method — and timing — seems suspicious.
Although West hasn’t said he plans to run again for office in 2008, he appears to be getting in position to do so.
Politically, dragging out the recreation issue seems smart.
It potentially takes the issue away from West’s most out front opponent, Alderman Jake Middleton.
Further, by challenging Adams County to come up with up to half the funds, West puts the county board and its president, Darryl Grennell, into the debate. Grennell has long been discussed as a possible mayoral candidate.
Score a preemptive victory for West.
Don’t get me wrong, recreation is a huge topic, and needs action. We just need to do it together and with some logic.
The good news here, however, is that if citizens stand up and begin telling their elected leaders what they should do about recreation, something might just get some traction and get done.
But the recreation issue is only the first 2008 election issue thrown into the race.
More will certainly follow.
Sometime between now and Election Day, you can almost bet one of the incumbents — either the mayor or a member of the board — will propose the city take on the project of developing the Forks of the Road site.
That would be a mistake.
It’s one of those things that sounds good, and might earn you a few votes, but it’s shortcutting the real impact that the site could have.
The Forks of Road site was one of the South’s largest slave markets. Because of that, the site has national significance. That site, while located in Natchez, should have impact far beyond the city limits.
The site needs to be developed, but the city shouldn’t do it, at least not yet.
Natchez should not — especially for political expediency — jump the gun and half develop the site. It’s far too important.
Developing the Forks site should be done by professionals.
The National Park Service, which already has significant historical sites in Natchez on public display, has begun a feasibility study to determine if the Forks site could be included into the Natchez National Historical Park.
Until that study is completed, nothing more should be done to the site. Further development could damage the historical integrity of the site.
NPS has some of the best historians and preservationists on the federal payroll. These folks know how to preserve and display locations with historical significance.
If you’d like to see the difference between a city effort and an NPS effort, compare the NPS managed William Johnson House and the museum of the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture.
The William Johnson House’s restoration and ongoing operating expenses are provided by the federal government. Its exhibits are top notch.
While the volunteers who founded and for years have operated the NAPAC Museum have done an amazing job, the museum still struggles year to year to secure enough funding to operate.
But, it’s almost a certain bet that someone will try and use the facility for his or her own political benefit. And that shouldn’t happen. The legacy of the men and women who walked in chains to the Forks of the Road site deserve to be remembered with our nation’s best effort, not our best campaign slogan.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by 601boy (anonymous) on September 15, 2007 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is how elections are won. Recreation, tourism, etc. Make up all these promises. Just a bunch of lies to have people vote for you. About 3 months before election time candidates will pack the church houses, show up at schools & you fall for it every 4 years. With all the negativity going on in the city & at the schools now, where are these so-called leaders? They will begin to knock on your door January 2008. DON'T ANSWER!!!
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 1:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I still don't understand how the Mayor of Natchez can be a part of an earth breaking ceremony for the new prison out in the county but the residents of the county cannot come into the city to vote for Mayor. I live in the county and my return mailing address says "Natchez, MS 39120" but I am not allowed to vote for my city's Mayor because I live in the county. That makes no sense to me. My mailing address should read "Adams County, MS" instead of Natchez, MS.
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wouldnt it be great if there were 3 or 4 GREAT candidates to run against West? Heck, all you really need is one--with a brain.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This makes me glad I moved back to Louisiana. OK, I know; Louisiana is more corrupt than any other state. But I lived in Natchez for 10 years or more and I remember the past three or four mayors. None were as controversial as West (unless you count Armstrong getting the city a bad deal with Lady Luck Casino). I remember wanting to talk with West about an issue. He was rude and obviously not interested in a Natchez citizen's questions or opinion. Not long after, I moved to Vidalia. Mayor Copeland has a reputation for caring about the citizens and following through on his promises. Maybe, if West could get a few pointers from Copeland on how to serve his people best, Natchez might have a chance. Good luck with the upcoming elections Natchez. I still have hope in you.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey roberth33...I've read your posts for many days now. Why don't YOU run for Mayor? I see you realize the truth. Why is it we can see CLEARLY what's going on with West and have simple solutions to his "problems" yet HE doesn't? Why does he have to make everything so dadgum difficult? I have learned in my 38 years that everything is simple if you CHOOSE it to be. He might try standing outside the box, where solutions become clear. Nope, this won't work with West. He's perfect; he doesn't need to change anything. Lemme hear back from you roberth33. I promise I'll value your opinion more than he would.
Posted by silly_willy_24_7 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
TO ALL CONCERNED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF NATCHEZ:
KICK THE "BUCKET" BEFORE NATCHEZ'S BUCKET IS KICKED!!!!
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Truly--Truly--Truly-- today's comments are the best I've read and enjoyed of all the others. Its so nice to start the day with such great opinions. I stand with Ntzmom55. Makes no sense to me either, especially since West expects AC to divvy up half of what Ntz is expected to pay. When I began reading your comment I started laughing because of the way you started out. I thought," this poor soul is still worrying about the ground breaking." Believe me, sweetie, I'm not laughing at you, but WITH you. And agree with you100%. None of what this man does makes sense to me. And I am sure that we all will make sure his name will not appear and take credit for anything done in Natchez as long as we have our forum to turn to. Remember Tony Byrnes, our hero mayor of years past. That's when everything started going down hill for Ntz/Ac, when he finally threw his hands up in desperation and left us to wander defenseless (with no one to turn to) into this mess. Come back Tony and clean up this mess. I know Tony spent a lot of money while in office, but we got results from his endeavors. Movies, t.v.s etc were very often in Natchez. We enjoyed and loved our community then. What happened? We have been blindly led into a dark abyss, but I have faith in the good people of Ntz/Ac and their determination to pull us out of this dismal situation. I'm now keeping a positive attitude that there is light at the end of this terrible tunnel. This forum has given me that attitude. I have found that there are so many of you out there with the same opinion as I. I don't feel alone anymore. Thanks.
Posted by callitasitis (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevins' article and all these great comments have rejuvenated my wanting to read. Destiny, you said it, TONY. A wonderful man, a fantastic Mayor, we N E E D you Tony. Please save us. If anyone can kick the bucket, you can. Jake, you don't have what it takes right now. You're a good man, but, you need a little more seasoning.
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too many skeltons in my closet, kpage, but thanks for the suggestion. I am honest enough to admit that I'd make a lousy candidate--I inhaled! HAHA
I have no doubt Phillip West reads these comments. Hey Phillip, why don't you just pass on being relected. You are NOT the best candidate. Maybe you can do better as a $100,000 consultant?!?!
Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 10:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You could also bring back George F. West (SR). Now that was a black who served Natchez and not the black interest or the white interest. Unfortunately, the rest of the black Wests have not lived up this the first West. I know there is no relationship here but for the sake of writing, had to say it. It would be nice if elected officials who quit hyping what they are going to and say how they would correct existing problems and then WORK TOGETHER to try to get one or two things passed anyway. As it is, they each work against the others and Natchez loses all around.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My daddy always told me, " Mean what you say and say what you mean. If you are big enough to get into it, you best be big enough to get out of it,because there won't always be someone there to get you out. " My POP was a very real down to earth man. That's the type of person we need now. Oh where oh where have our honest people gone? Oh where oh where can they be? They are shaking their heads and praying no one finds them. Till the elections are over you see.
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on September 16, 2007 at 11:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
By the way I don't think you could get these people to work together if you supered glued them to each other.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 17, 2007 at 4:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OUCH!
Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on September 17, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems to me, after reading these comments on Democrat site, schools and education garner a huge response.
If one were going to rate the candidates for re-election based on the quality of education and schools, ALL the incumbents should be tossed.
I can here them now getting ready to come at us with all their grand plans for the public schools--where have they been for the last 4 years? You have failed miserably--from Mayor on down. Get outta town--don't even bother running.
Posted by CootDeville (anonymous) on September 17, 2007 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
F.Y.I...I have heard that there will be a new candidate for Mayor of Natchez and SHE is a Mayor in another Mississippi City...Don't know how true it is, but I have my sources.
Posted by 601boy (anonymous) on September 17, 2007 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You'll know that political races in Natchez is a popularity contest. It's all about WHO KNOWS WHO!!! Who can get up there at election time & tell the better lies about what they can do for the city. All they know about is that check they get every 2 weeks. It doesn't matter who runs for office. They can be well qualified for the office, but if they are not popular & if they can't tell a bunch a lies they will not win. TRUTH HURTS RIGHT!!!!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 17, 2007 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Get outta town--don't even bother running."
Yes, I think I know you were talking about not seeking office, again.
Yelp, just slip out of town, no one will realize you are gone except the rhetoric will be quieter.
We definitely need some change for the positions of mayor and aldermen. Personal egos and agendas get in the way of progress.
Posted by mommyof3 (anonymous) on September 17, 2007 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe what Natchez actually needs is new faces all around. Until someone with some ethics gets into office, Natchez is going nowhere fast!
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 17, 2007 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A candidate for any local office must live in that district for a certain period of time. I know at one time people who lived out in the county could not hold office in the city, and vice versa. So, I would guess that the rumor about some mayor from another town running here is just that - a rumor. We could certainly use some new faces though, I'll agree on that.
Posted by JunkyardDawg (anonymous) on September 18, 2007 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sure Tony could come back and sell us another million dollar hole to fill in from one of his million dollar hills, and that could cause another million dollar hole in the road.
There is another Copeland on this side of the river that would make a great mayor.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on September 18, 2007 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JunkyardDawg, Where is this Copeland and why hasn't he made himself visible. I thought maybe that furniture store guy would throw his hat in again, he did have a good platform and I voted for him. He seemed honest enough. And please refresh my memory on the million dollar hole of Tony's. I guess he did so many right things, I turned my head when he did 'one' wrong thing. Please refresh my old memory.
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